'WHAT IS NOT THE GOSPEL' (From 9MARKS)

What are some messages that people falsely claim are the gospel?

1.     God wants to make us rich. Some preachers today say that the good news is that God wants to bless us with loads of money and possessions—all we need to do is ask! But the gospel is a message about spiritual blessings (Eph. 1:3): God sent Jesus Christ to die and rise again for us so that we would be justified, reconciled to God, and given eternal life with God (Rom. 3:25-26, 6:23; 2 Cor. 5:18-21). Moreover, the Bible promises that Christians will not have material prosperity in this life, but tribulation (Acts 14:22), persecution (2 Tim 3:12), and suffering (Rom. 8:17), all of which will one day give way to unspeakable glory (2 Cor. 4:17; Rom. 8:18).

2.     God is love and we’re okay. Some people think the gospel is that God loves us and accepts us just as we are. But the biblical gospel confronts people as sinners facing the wrath of God (Rom. 3:23, John 3:36) and tells people about God’s radical solution: Jesus’ sin-bearing death on the cross. This gospel calls people to an equally radical response: to repent of their sins and trust in Christ for salvation.

3.     We should live right. The gospel is not a message that tells us a live a better life and so make ourselves right with God. In fact the gospel tells us exactly the opposite: we can’t do what pleases God and we can never make ourselves acceptable to him (Rom. 8:5-8). But the good news is that Jesus has done for us what we could never do for ourselves: by living a perfect life and bearing God’s wrath on the cross he has secured the salvation of all those who turn from their sin and trust in him (Rom. 5:6-11, 8:31-34).

4.     Jesus came to transform society. Some people believe that Jesus’ mission was to transform society and bring justice to the oppressed through a political revolution. But the Bible teaches that this world will only be made right when Jesus comes again and ushers in a new heaven and new earth (2 Thess. 2:9-10, Rev. 21:1-5). The gospel is fundamentally a message about salvation from the wrath of God through faith in Christ, not the transformation of society in this present age.

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"ONE NATION UNDER GOD"

Recently I was told that the men who wrote the Declaration of Independence were 'deists' which means that they believed "in a God who created the universe and then abandoned it, assuming no control over life, exerting no influence on natural phenomena, and giving no supernatural revelation."  This was based upon certain phrases such as "Nature's God", "Divine Providence", and the "Creator".

But what about the men who wrote and signed that American document?  What quotes can we find from these men?

Adams, John - Congregationalist and later a Unitarian (he did not accept the Trinity). He said, "To enable me to maintain this declaration I rely, under God, with entire confidence on the firm and enlightened support of the national legislature and upon the virtue and patriotism of my fellow citizens." (Signer of Declaration of Independence)

Adams, Samuel - Congregationalist. "We have this day restored the Sovereign to Whom all men ought to be obedient. He reigns in heaven and from the rising to the setting of the sun, let His kingdom come." Also: "The rights of the colonists as Christians...may be best understood by reading and carefully studying the institutes of the Great Law Giver and Head of the Christian Church, which are to be found clearly written and promulgated in the New Testament." (Signer of Declaration of Independence)

Carroll, Charles - Roman Catholic. Carroll said, "Without morals a republic cannot subsist any length of time; they therefore who are decrying the Christian religion, whose morality is so sublime and pure...are undermining the solid foundation of morals, the best security for the duration of free governments." (Signer of Declaration of Independence)

Chase, Samuel - Chase was an Episcopalian. As a Supreme Court Justince he said, "Religion is of general and public concern, and on its support depend, in great measure, the peace and good order of government, the safety and happiness of the people. By our form of government, the Christian religion is the established religion; and all sects and denominations of Christians are placed upon the same equal footing, and are equally entitled to protection in their religious liberty." (Signer of Declaration of Independence)

Clark, Abraham - Clark was a Presbyterian, and said once, ""Nothing short of the Almighty Power of God can Save us-it is not in our Numbers, our Union, or our Valour that I dare trust." (Signer of Declaration of Independence)

Huntington, Samuel - He was a Congregationalist. According to B. J. Lossing's “Signers of the Declaration of Independence,” it is known that “Governor Huntington lived the life of the irreproachable and sincere Christian... as a devoted Christian and a true patriot, he never swerved from duty...” (Signer of Declaration of Independence)

Jefferson, Thomas - Jefferson was probably best called a Deist, but he is also claimed by Unitarians and some Christian denominations. He was the one who penned the idea that our rights come from God (“Creator”) (Signer of Declaration of Independence)

Madison, James - Member of the Episcopal Church. He said, "The belief in a God, all powerful, wise, and good, [is] essential to the moral order of the world, and to the happiness of man." (Signer of Declaration of Independence, Delegate to Constitutional Convention, Signer of Constitution)

Morton, John - Member of the Episcopal Church. In his will he said, “...for the settling of such temporal estate as it hath pleased God to bless me with in this life...” (Signer of Declaration of Independence)

Paine, Robert - Paine left Calvinism to become a Unitarian. He served as a military chaplain. He said, "I am constrained to express my adoration of . . . the Author of my existence . . . [for] His forgiving mercy revealed to the world through Jesus Christ, through whom I hope for never ending happiness in a future state." (Signer of Declaration of Independence)

Stockton, Richard - Stockton was a Presbyterian. He said, "I think it proper here not only to subscribe to . . . doctrines of the Christian religion . . . but also, in the bowels of a father's affection, to exhort and charge them [my children] that the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom, that the way of life held up in the Christian system is calculated for the most complete happiness." (Signer of Declaration of Independence)

[from http://churchvstate.blogspot.com/2007/10/signers-of-declaration-of-independence.html]

DID HE SAY 'CIRCUMSPECTLY'?

Last week, Bro. Glen read part of Ephesians chapter 5 to us and he was reading from the New King James Version so verse 15 contained the word 'circumspectly'...

Ephesians 5:15-16 (KJV) See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

'Circumspectly'.  Not a word that we use every day, is it?  What does it mean and why should we 'walk' that way?  Look at the same verse in the Amplified Version...

Ephesians 5:15-16 (AMP) Look carefully then how you walk! Live purposefully and worthily and accurately, not as the unwise and witless, but as wise (sensible, intelligent people), Making the very most of the time [buying up each opportunity], because the days are evil.

Now it is easier to see what it means... we are to live in a careful, purposeful and precise way making the best use of our time.  How carefully have you been using your time lately?  How wisely have you been using your time this past week? 

Live with purpose.  Be intentional with your life instead of just responding to whatever happens next.  Enjoy the blessings that God has given you instead of letting them pass you by.  Walk 'circumspectly'.

HAS YOUR FACEBOOK PAGE TOLD ON YOU LATELY?

When I first saw this cartoon, obviously I laughed because of the creativity of this artist but at the same time, I knew right away that this gifted artist was not only 'entertaining' us, but this artist was also teaching us a very important lesson.

Some people act one way in person and a totally different way when sitting alone in front of their computer.  And then of course, there is the photo from someone else's page showing you doing something that you shouldn't be doing and now that photo is 'tagged' with your name on it so it can show up on your page for all of your friends to see.

As a pastor, I am concerned about some of my friends who will one day post something about how good God is or how powerful prayer is but then turn around and post something filled with abusive language and promoting an idea that is anything but godly.

I know what some of you are already thinking... 'Who are you to judge what somebody else does?'  Good question.  The Bible verse that is often quoted in this situation and if so, it is being used incorrectly in this situation is Matthew 7:1...

Matthew 7:1-3 (ESV) “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?

The word 'judge' in verse one comes from the Greek word 'krinō' means to condemn or criticize someone.  So Jesus is saying when you criticize someone, don't be surprised when they criticize you, especially if you are nitpicking towards someone when you have all kinds of issues yourself.

But I am not condemning or criticizing someone when I make a statement about something I am concerned about.  There are several reasons for that, one reason being that I know that I have sinned many, many times before and I will sin again soon.  And for that reason, I am so thankful to have a relationship with God through His Son, Jesus Christ, who died on a cross paying the price for my sin, was raised from the dead by God, and now He is sitting beside God praying for you and me.  God's Word says that I will turn from sin and confess them to Him, He will forgive me.  He will do the same for you if you have been saved by the cross of Jesus.

So what am I doing when I state my concern about someone?  Read this next set of Bible verses and then I will explain...

Matthew 7:17-20 (ESV) So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.

Jesus is explaining that each of us will be known 'by [our] fruits'.  The word 'fruit' is used to illustrate the proof that you are a follower of Jesus or that you are not.  If you are a Christian, there are certain signs of 'fruit' that another Christian will recognize and since you are both Christians, it would be right for you to fellowship with each other as followers of Jesus.  However, if you are not a Christian, the 'fruit' that you would be producing would be a sign that instead of having fellowship with you as another believer, you would be identified as someone who is not following Jesus and so that person would share with you how much God loves you and the fact that Jesus died for you too.  If you are not a follower of Jesus, you have two choices... you can reject or ignore this article or you can ask God to help you understand more about what I am telling you.

Let me show you one more set of Bible verses in this post that will illustrate what kind of 'fruit' we are looking for...

Galatians 5:19-24 (ESV) Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, socery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

So why did I type all of this stuff?  To help you understand that if you are a Christian, you need to remember that everyone can see the 'fruit' or evidence that proves whether you are obeying Jesus or not.  If you post on facebook that you are a Christian, but then post some trashy comments on your page, you are telling everyone that it doesn't matter what you do because it's not that big of a deal but try telling that to God who gave His only Son to die for  you and me.

If you are not a Christian, please know that I or we are not condemning you or criticizing you.  We are only trying to help you that we are all responsible to God for our words, thoughts and actions.  I pray that you too will one day shows signs of 'fruit' in your life that tells me that you are a follower of Jesus as well.

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ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT THE 'GOSPEL'?

I am deeply concerned about the 'gospel' being the new religious catch phrase like 'born again' was in decades past. So many people, churches and ministries are talking about the gospel but are they talking about the one true gospel?
Some people make the gospel sound like it is free and comfortable when in reality, even though it is a 'gift' (Romans 6:23), it cost Jesus His life and it calls for us to live a truly committed life for Jesus (Philippians 1:27).  Other people put most of the gospel's focus on us instead where it really belongs, which is giving all of the glory to Jesus Christ (2 Thessalonians 2:14).
The word 'gospel' should not be used to make us sound like we are in step with the latest spiritual fads.  The word 'gospel' should be used very carefully as we make sure that when we say 'gospel', we really mean what the Bible teaches us instead of using to draw people's attention to our ministries.
Do you know what the 'gospel' really is?

“Here is what I understand the good news to be: the good news is that the one and only God, who is holy, made us in his image to know him. But we sinned and cut ourselves off from him.  In his great love, God became a man in Jesus, lived a perfect life, and died on the cross, thus fulfilling the law himself and taking on himself the punishment for the sins of all those who would ever turn and trust in him. He rose again from the dead, showing that God accepted Christ’s sacrifice and that God’s wrath against us had been exhausted. He now calls us to repent of our sins and to trust in Christ alone for our forgiveness. If we repent of our sins and trust in Christ, we are born again into a new life, an eternal life with God. Now that is good news.”

from  Mark Dever's The Gospel and Personal Evangelism